Time delay actuating mechanism



April 30, 1963 O- SUTER 3,087,385

TIME DELAY ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 12, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mv J0 L 16 J5 5 J4 355 @j 22 /17 l l 26a 9 2 4 Y- 26 2g 30 'f3 23 k27 Z 3M-H 36 55 i5 35 "n 40 2.2 /JO 345 JM '3f /ZZ 26a LJ 22a ff' 01@ f v 4" T; n

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di Patented Apr. 30, i963 3,087,385 TilME DELAY ACTUATlNG MECHANISM swaid Suter, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Technical Gil Tool Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Aug. 12, 1960, Ser. No. 69,534 9 Claims. (Cl. 89-1) My invention relates generally to time delay mechanisms and more particularly to such mechanisms incorporated in automatic sequencing devices to introduce a predetermined time interval between two successive automatic operations of the overall mechanism.

The use of combustible fuses and the like for introducing time delay is, of course, a very old expedient, finding its application principally in armament such as hand grenades, aerial bombs and the like. Such combustible fuses have also been used to introduce delay where desired in certain mechanical devices.

Combustible fuses as a time delay have one inherent disadvantage, however, particularly when an accurate control of the time interval is desired. This disadvantage is that the burning7 rate for most explosives changes under varying ambient temperature and pressure conditions.

One particular application in which reliable and accurately controllable time delay mechanisms are necessary is in the field of pilot ejection from aircraft during highspeed ilight. The advent of supersonic flight has necessitated fully automatic bailout procedures wherein the sequence of operations -by which the pilot in his seat is ejected from the pilot compartment and thereafter released from his seat and parachuted to the earth, all take place automatically without the exercise of judgment or control by the pilot.

.The usual method of pilot bailout from high speed aircraft is to catapult the pilot seat from the aircraft, the pilot being held in the seat by the usual seatbelt. In this operation the pilot sets into operation a sequencing mechanism which first blows oif the canopy of the aircraft, thereafter sequentially ejects the seat, and still later releases the pilot from the seat and opens the pilots parachute. The just-mentioned sequence of operations all take place in a relatively short time so that the time interval between successive events is too short to be estimated by the pilot himself.

-It is also to be borne in mind that at a time when the pilot must, through emergency bail out of the aircraft, he may often be incapacitated or lose consciousness, which is a further reason for a fully automatic operation of the sequencing mechanism.

The release of the pilot from the seat cannot occur instantaneously upon the ejection of the seat from the plane for the reason that the pilot might then be struck by the fuselage or tail assembly of the plane. On the other hand, to allow for low altitude bailouts, there is also a critical time limit beyond which it is dangerous for the pilot to remain held in the seat.

Thus, it is seen that a fully automatic reliable, accurate, and relatively short time delay must be provided for, between the time of ejection of the pilot from the airplane and the time of release of the pilot from the seat itself.

As above mentioned, `fuse type time delays are unsatisfactory due to variations in burning rate with pressure and temperature. Another ydisadvantage of such time delay means is that they tend to change and deteriorate with the passage of time. This is a particularly severe disadvantage in the field of use under discussion, since pilot release mechanisms must have an almost indenite shelf life, that is, they must be able to remain inactive `for long periods of time, perhaps as long as several years and must nevertheless lbe fully effective and as accurate and uniform in operation at the end of such period as at the beginning.

Bearing in mind the foregoing, a major object of the present invention is to provide an automatic time delay mechanism having a high factor of reliability and which may be used to maintain accurately controllable time delay between two successive operations of a sequencing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reliable all-mechanical actuating mechanism of the class described which includes a member movable from a cocked to a terminal position, the travel time of said member being accurately controllable and which member is adapted to deliver a uniformly strong actuating force or firing impact upon reaching said terminal position.

It is another major object of the present invention to provide an automatic time delay mechanism which is compact in size, light weight, simple in construction, reliable, and which has a controlled high impact means adapted to initiate an explosive charge.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an actuating means of the class described having a long shelf life and being adapted to rest normally in a stressed or unstressed condition.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the class described in which a single cocking operation performs two functions, to wit, the cooking of an impact or actuating means and the setting of a timing mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a combination timing and actuating mechanism of the class described in which the movable actuating member may be quickly moved to a cocked position in one direction and which thereafter moves at a retarded or controlled rate in the other direction.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a time delay actuator mechanism which is extremely rugged and durable in construction and will withstand wide variations in ambient temperature and pressure.

The foregoing `and additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof, consideration being .given also to the attached drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal, medial section of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, showing also a portion of a typical gas discharge cartridge in phantom outline and showing the actuating mechanism embodying the present invention in its stored or inactive position;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but showing the actuating mechanism in cocked position, the inactive position being shown in phantom line;

yFIGUR-E 3 is an elevational View taken on a line 3 3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged portion of FIGURE 3, partially sectioned to show underlying parts;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational View of th-e device shown in FIGURE -l with a cover plate removed to show a portion of the time delay mechanism;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the device inverted to show the mechanism on the side opposite that shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan View of the device in FIGURE l showing the relationship of the parts illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to IFIGURES 1 and 2 showing the actuating mechanism in its terminal or tiring position;

FIGUR-E 9 is a longitudinal medial section of a moditied form of the invention showing the actuating mechanism in stored or inactive position;

FIGURE yl() is a view similar to FIGURE 9 showing the actuating mechanism in cocked position, the phantom line depicting the firing mechanism at the end of the time controlled portion of its travel, i.e., the beginning of its unretarded travel;

FIGURE 1l is an elevational section taken on the line 11-11 in FIGURE 9;

'FIGURE 12 is a longitudinal medial section of another modiiied form of the invention showing the actuating mechanism in activated position;

FIGURE .13 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 12 showing the actuating mechanism in its terminal or tiring position;

FIGURE 14 is an elevational cross section taken along the line 14-14 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 15 is an elevational cross section taken along the line 15-15 of FIGURE `13; and c' FIGURE 16 is -a perspective view of the actuating mechanism and latch of the modification shown in FIG- URES 12-15.

The specific application of my invention, shown herein for illustrative purposes, is the time delay mechanism for releasing a pilots seatbelt a predetermined time after the seat and pilot are ejected from the aircraft according to known practice. The actual release of the seat belt is effected by gas pressure generated by an exploding cartridge and Ithe cartridge itself is detonated in the present instance by the impact` of -a yhammer-tiring pin member.

The embodiments of my entire time delay-tiring mechanism shown in FIGURES 1-11 are mounted on the pilots seat itself and are cocked or armed by the relative movement of the seat as it is ejected from` the aircraft, the cooking movement being effected by a lanyard connected between the firing mechanism and the yaircraft itself. The modification shown in FIGURES 12-16 is also mounted on the pilots seat but is pre-cocked and as the seat is ejected from the aircraft, a latch is released freeing the pre-cocked firing mechanism.

For a more detailed description of the invention, referenceshould now be had to FIGURE 1, wherein the reference character lldesignates the tiring mechanism as a whole, thesame including a mainbody 11 formed with a central main bore 12 in which is carried a slidable hammer 13 having an integral iiring pin 1'4 formed on the forward end thereof.

The forward end of the body 11 has an externally threaded Iboss 1S thereon adapted to engage theinternal threads of a chamber member 16 to retain a conventional gas generating cartridge 17 therein. An aperture -18 at the forward end of the bore 12 permits the tiring pin 14 todrive forwardly and impinge against the percussion cap 19 of the cartridge 17 exploding the same.

After cooking as will be described, the hammer 13 is driven forwardly by a compression spring 21 anchored at its rearward end against a threaded cap 22 secured to the rearward end of the body 11 and anchored at its forward end in a coaxial counterbore 23 in the hammer FPhe free length of the compression spring 21 is such that with the hammer in the position illustrated in FIG- URE l, the spring is substantially unstressed, that is, the hammer 13 is acted on by the spring 21 during most of its longitudinal travel but moves over the forward terminal portion of its tiring path by inertia.

During the condition of rest illustrated in FIGURE 1, the hammer 13 is immobilized by means of a cooking bolt 25 coaxially positioned in the bore 12, connected at its forward end to the hammer 13, and anchored at its rearward end by an enlarged head 26 seating against a shoulder 27 formed in the cap 22. The cap 22 is apertured to permit the head 26 of the cooking bolt 25 to project rearwardly from the mechanism 10, the head 26 being flattened with a hole 28 therein for the attachment of the firing lanyard (not shown).

The connectionbetween the hammer 13 and the forward end of the cooking bolt 25 is eiected by means of three balls 29 which are received in lateral bores 3? in the hammer 13 and rest in a peripheral ball race or groove 31 formed in the forward end of the cooking bolt 25. As can be seen in FIGURE 3, the diameter of the balls 29 is such that due to impingement against the surface of the bore 12, they may not escape from the groove 31 and, thus, the bolt 25 is locked to the hammer 13.

In order to prevent accidental movement of the bolt 25 during installation or, for example, when the aircraft is on the ground, the enlarged head of the bolt is formed with a peripheral groove 26a which is tangentially intersected by a transverse bore 22a in the cap 22 in which a safety Ypin or Cotter key 22b may be placed to lock the bolt 25 positively against movement.

As Vis `illustrated ineFIGURE 2, the balls 29 may move outwardly into an annular undercut recess 32 in the bore 12 when the hammer 13 reaches its fully cocked position. The outward movement of the balls 29l into the recess 32 releases them from the groove 31 and, thus, disconnects the bolt 25- from the hammer 13 permitting the spring 21V to drive the same in a forward direction to ultimately tire the cartridge 17, as will be described.

As has been previously stated, it is desired, after the hammer is released as is shown in FIGURE 2, that there be an appreciable, predetermined, accurate time delay before the hammer drives forward to impinge the firing pin 14 against the percussion cap 19.

The time delay is effected by means of a retarding scar 33 secured to a transverse rock shaft 34 journaled in Vthe body 11. The body 11 is slotted as shown at 35 to receive the sear 33, the nose of the latter projecting downwardly into the bore 12 to engage a transverse groove or pocket 36 in the hammer 13.

The hammer .13 is prevented from rotating in the bore 12 by means of a threaded pin 37 which projects into a longitudinal keyway 38` in the hammer 13. Thus it will be seen that the transverse groove 36 is always properly positioned torengage the sear 33 when the hammer is moved longitudinally in 4the bore 12. The nose of the sear 33 in the transverse groove 36 effects an interengagement between the sear 33 and the hammer 13 somewhat akin to the engagement between a single tooth gear and `a moving rack. Thus, longitudinal movement of the hammer 13 is accompanied by rotation of the sear on its shaft 34.

The scar 33 is rotationally ysecured to the shaft 34, Vsince vthe latter is lsquare at the point where it passes through the sear. There is, therefore a driving connection between the'hammer 13 and the shaft 34, over a portion of its path so that the hammer 13 may not move longitudinally without corresponding rotation of the shaft 34.

As can be seen best in FIGURES 2 and 8, the upper side of the hammer 13 is flattened, as indicated at 40, thus permitting the sear 33 :to swing out of the groove 36 an-d `disengage the hammer 13 when the latter reaches a predetermined point in its forward travel, this point being approximately that illustrated in FIGURE 1. After the sear 33 is released from the groove 36, the hammer 13 may thereafter move forward without restraint `delivering its full impact against the percussion cap 19'. During that portion of the travel between the cocked position illustrated in FIGURE 2 and the Sear-release position illustrated in FIGURE 1, however, the hammer 13 may move only at the rate which is permitted by the retarding sear 33t.

Retardation of scar rotation and thus of hammer movement is effected by an escapement connected through a gear train to the shaft 34, as can be seen best in FIG- URES'S, 6, and 7. The shaft 34 has keyed to one end thereof a sector gear 42 which is meshed with an idler gea-r 43, the latter, in turn, being meshed with a pinion 44, Iall of the last named parts being located on the side of the mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 5. The pinion 44 is keyed to a shaft 4S -which extends completely through the body 12 being journaled therein and carries on its opposite end a gear d6.

The gear 46 is rotatably carried on a shoulder screw 47 threaded into the end of the shaft 45 and the gear is rotatively coupled to the shaft 45 by means of a friction spring overrunning clutch 48 having a helical portion 48a frictionally wrapped around the end of the shaft l5 and a radially terminal portion 48h extending along 'the adjacent face of the gear 46 with a bent end received in a bore 49 in the gear 46.

Thus it will be seen that the gear 46 is coupled to the shaft 45 by an overrunning clutch arrangement permitting free rotation of the gear with respect to the shaft in one direction, but drivingly coupling the two members for rotation in the other direction.

As is shown best in FIGURE 6, the gear 46 meshes with a pinion Si) on a common shaft with a gear 51 which, in turn, meshes with a pinion 52. formed as an integral part of a gear 53, the latter meshing through `a similar pinion and gear idler 5f2-55 with a pinion 56 rotatably secured on a common idler shaft with a scape wheel 57.

The scape wheel 57 is formed with star-shaped teeth which engage a pair of pallet pins 58 mounted on an oscillating pawl member or balance wheel 59. The effect of the oscillating pawl 59, the pins 58 of which are alternately engaged with the scape wheel 57, is to control the rate of rotation of the latter, which controlled rotation is transmitted through the previously described gea-r train to the Sear 33 and, hence, controls the rate of longitudinal movement of the hammer 13 as long as the sear 33 is engaged in lthe groove 36.

The drive direction of the overrunning clutch 48 is such that the sear 33 is time-controlled in its clockwise rotation, as viewed in FIGURE l, but is free to rotate at an uncontrolled rate during cooking, i.e., when the sear is rota-ted in a counterclockwise direction, In order that the time delay mechanism comprising the gear train and escapement, illustrated in FIGURE 6, may be adjusted to effect different time delays, the center-to-center distances between the mounting shafts 69, 61, 62, 63, and 64 are all equal. Thus, one or more lgear-pinion pairs may be removed from the train illustrated in FIGURE 6 and the escapement members moved up to the next shaft, thus changing the total gear reduction between the escapement and the sear 33.

The modification illustrated in FIGURES 9 through 11 is concerned with the cooking operation and the means for releasing the cocking bolt 25 from the hammer when the latter is cocked. The construction and organization of the modied form of the invention illustrated in FIG- URE-S 9 through ll is in most respects similar to the previously described embodiment. In the modified form, however, the overrunning clutch 4S is eliminated and the hammer member is divided into two portions, to wit, a core 65, and a coaxial surrounding sleeve 66. rI'he core 65 is slidable within the sleeve 66 and the latter is slidable in the bore 12.

The sleeve 66 is provided with a transverse groove 67 to receive the retarding sear 33 in the manner previously described in connection with the rst embodiment. The storage or inactive position of the FIGURE 9 embodiment is illustrated in FIGURE 9 wherein it will be seen that the sleeve 66 is preset in a rearward or cocked position in the bore 12 seated against a stop ring 69 snapped into a complemental undercut groove in the bore i2.

The hammer core 65 is secured to the bolt 25 by balls 29 received in lateral bores 7u in the core and seated in the groove 31 as in the previous embodiment. An internal annular groove 68 is formed in the sleeve 66 to receive the balls 29, as described in the previous embodiment, permitting the balls to move outwardly from the groove 31 thus, disconnecting the bolt `from the hammer core 65 when the latter has been pulled back to cocked position.

It will be noted that the last described outward movement of theV balls 29 into the groove 68 not only releases the bolt 25, but effects an interengagement of the hammer core 65 and the hammer sleeve 66, due to the fact that the balls project from the groove 63 into the lateral bores 70 of the hammer core 65. It will be noted that the bores 79 are angled rearwardly whereby the forward thrust of the spring 21 on the core 65 tends to retain the balls 29 in the groove 68 due to the inclined rearward surface of each bore 7() engaging the ball 29 therein.

fWhen the core 65 and the sleeve 66 are interengaged as just described, they act in effect as a single hammer member, the motion of which is retarded by the engagement of the sear 33 in the groove 67. When the sear rotates in a clockwise direction with the forward motion of the two-piece hammer 65-66, it ultimately rotates out of the groove 67, as indicated by the phantom line in FIG- URE l0, whereupon the composite hammer 65-66 thereafter drives for-ward under the pressure of the spring 21 to detonate the cartridge in the manner previously described.

It will be realized that in the form shown in FIGURES 9 through l1 the time delay mechanism is originally set with the scar 33 in its starting or cocked position. Thus, there is no necessity for the clutch member, previously described, since the sear 33 does not rotate during the cocking of the second described embodiment, the sleeve portion 66 of the hammer remaining stationary during the rearward or cooking movement of the core 65 and the bolt 25.

Having described the contruction of two embodiments of my invention, the operation thereof may now be described briefly.

In tirst describing the FIGURE 1 embodiment i-t will be assumed that the cartridge 17 has been loaded into the chamber 16 and secured in place by means of the threaded boss l5, previously described. It will also be assumed that the safety key 22h has been removed, free-ing the bolt 25.

Upon the occurrence of an emergency requiring a bailout, the pilot first blows off the canopy of the plane in the usual manner and in some cases thereafter presses an appropriate release button to operate the ejecting mechanism catapulting the seat and himself out of the plane. As the seat -moves away from the aircraft, the lanyard connected to the bolt 25 pulls the same from the housing 12 drawing back the hammer 13, this reverse action r0- tating the sear 33 in a counterclockwise direction to the cocked position shown in full line in FIGURE 2. At that point the balls 29 move radially outward into the groove 32 releasing the bolt Z5 and permitting the hammer 13 to start its forward motion under the urging of the spring 2l.

The initial part of the forward or tiring motion of the hammer i3 is retarded due to the engagement of the Sear 33 and the operation of the escapement mechanism previously described. Upon reaching the position illustrated in FIGURE l, the sear 33 rotates out of the groove 36 permitting the hammer to drive forwardly iwithout restraint, impinging the tiring pin M against the percussion cap 19 and exploding the cartridge 17.

As above stated, the gas pressure generated by the eX- ploding cartridge releases the pilot seat belt permitting the pilot to parachute to the earth in the usual manner. The mechanism for opening the pilots parachute is conventional and since it forms no part of the present invention is not described herein.

The operation of the modied form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 9 through ll is virtually identical to )that above described, except thatV the rearward movement of the bolt 2,5 is not accompanied by any rotation ofthe sear 3.3, the latter being preset to its starting or cocked position and already in engagement with the rearward edge of the groove 67 in the hammer sleeve 66. Upon reaching fully cocked position, the hammer core 65 is disengaged from the bolt '25 by the balls 29 moving outwardly in the same manner described in connection with the previous embodiment. This outward motion of the balls 29 also engages the core 65 with the sleeve 66. which two parts drive forwardly as a unit, initially retarded by the sear 33 and the escapement mechanism. When the sear rotates to the position shown in phantom line in FIGURE 10, it disengages the groove 67, permitting the composite hammer 65-66 to drive forward exploding the cartridge in the manner previously described.

It will be appreciated that the time delay mechanism embodying my invention may be incorporated in various devices other than the cartridge tiring movement shown herein. For example, the hammer 13 may be arranged to actuate or release a catch or other mechanical element instead of firing the cartridge.

Referring now specifically to the modification shown in FIGURES 1'2-16, the time delay mechanism there shown is simpler in construction than the prior embodiments described but, at the same time, is very compact, extremely reliable, and contains a time-controlled high impact hammer adapted to initiate an explosive charge.

The reference character 210` in FIGURE 12 designates the firing mechanism as a whole, the same including a main body 2151 formed with a central main bore 212 in Vwhich is carried a slidable hammer 216 having an integral firing pin :214 formed on the forward end thereof.

As in the prior embodiment, the forward end of the body 211 has an externally threaded boss 215 thereon adapted to engage the internal threads of a chamber member 216 to retain a conventional gas generating cartridge therein (not shown). An aperture 1218 at the forward end of the bore 212 permits the tiring pin 214 to driveV forwardly and impinge against a percussion cap (not shown) of the cartridge exploding the same.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 12-16, rather than employing an uncooked firing pin, then cooking just prior to actual firing, a precocked firing pin and hammer are employed, thereby eliminating need for a clutching arrangement or the more complex structure of FIGURES 9, ly and 1l.

After precocking of the hammer 213, as will be described, the hammer is driven forwardly by a compression spring 221 anchored at its rearward end in a manner similar to that described in FIGURE l, and anchored at its forward end in the coaxial counterbore 2213 in 4hammer 213.

The free lengthof the compression spring 221 is such that, with the hammer 213 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 13, the spring is substantially unstressed. Thus, the hammer 213 is acted on by the spring during most, if not all, of its longitudinal travel. In the position illustrated in FIGURE 12, the spring is compressed, thereby cooking the hammer `213, as will now be described.

The hammer 21-3 is immobilized in precocked position Within the main bore 212 by means of a cooking bolt 225 operatively connected at its forward end to the hammer 213, and anchored at its rearward end in a manner substantially identical with that described with reference to FIGURE l in column 2 of this specification.

The forward end of the cooking bolt 225 supports a latch 226, the latch 226 having a cylindrical leg 227 slidably passing through an aperture 228 in the hammer 213, and resting on cooking bolt 225 in the precocked position shown in FIGURES l2 and 14. The upper portion of the latch 226 projects upwardly beyond the circumference of the main bore 2112 into a groove 230 of the main body 211 and locks the hammer 213` in xed relation to the main body 211. The latch 226 thus positively prevents any forward movement of the hammer 213 under the influence of the spring 221, or for any other reason.

When the cooking bolt 225 is released, the support provided for the latch 226 (by the cooking bolt itself) is removed, and the latch 226 immediately drops downwardly from the position of FIGURES l2 or 14, to the position of FIGURES 13 or 15', i.e., to a position wherein the latch outer surface is flush with *the outer surface of the hammer 213. Ready release of the latch is insured by provision of the sloping surfaces 240 of the latch. Thus, as pressure is exerted by the spring 221 upon one or more corners of the groove 230 by the latch 226, hang-up of the latch 226 in the groove 230 is avoided because of the sloping surfaces 240. Upon release of the latch 2216 in this manner, the hammer 213 isfree to move forwardly under the influence of the spring 221 until the firing pin 214 has caused discharge of the gas cartridge. Gases thus formed are evacuated, in part, through ports 252 of the hammer 213.

Upon release of the latch 226, the time delay of hammer 2:13 is effected by means of a retarding sear 250, which in turn is controlled by the escapement mechanism and gear train previously described in some detail with reference to FIGURES l-ll.

it will thus be seen that a relatively simple but extremely reliable device has been described for elfectuating a controlled time delay mechanism. The embodiments described in FIGURES l-ll while somewhat more cornplex, provide advantages, in those instances, for example, where strong fatigue-free springs are not available.

This oase is a continuation-in-part application of my presently pending patent application Serial No. 632,732, filed January 7, 1957, now abandoned, and entitled Time Delay Actuating Mechanism.

I claim: Y

l. A time delay actuating mechanism which comprises: a body having a cylindrical bore for-med therein; a hammer unit slidably movable within said bore and adapted to be retained in a stored position when not in use; means for moving said hammer unit rearward relative to said body -to thereby cause said hammer unit to assume a cocked position; power means within said bore for propelling said hammer unit in a forwardly direction from said cocked position; a groove formed in the outer periphery of said hammer unit having la front and rear face; a sear pivotally mounted for arcuate movement within said groove and adapted to engage the rear face of said groove when said hammer unit is in said cocked position; a timing mechanism, connected through 'a gear train, to said sear to control the rate of arcuate movement thereof, the rate of forward linear movement of said hammer unit being controlled by the arcuate movement of said sear, the sear being removed from the path of said hammer unit at arelease point rearward of the device to be actuated by being pivoted out of said groove to allow the hammer to be propelled Ifreely forwardly from said release point, at a high velocity, into said device to be actuated.

2. A time delay actuating mechanism which comprises: a body having Va cylindrical bore formed therein; an undercut annular recess formed in the walls of said bore; a hammer slidably movable within said bore and adapted Y -to be retained in a stored position when not yin use; a

counterbore formed within said hammer having a closed forward end and an open rearward end communicating with said central bore; 'a plurality of radial passages formed within `and extending through the walls of said hammer communicating with said counterbore, the vstored position of said hammer being such that said passages are initially positioned forwardly of said lannular recess; a plurality of balls slidably movable in a laterally outward direction provided within each of said passages, an arcuate segment of each of said balls extending into said counterbore; a cooking bolt having an annular 4ball race formed within the forward and thereof, said forward end extending axially through said main bore and counterbore to engage the arcuate segments of said balls; means for movmove outwardly from said counterbore into said recess thereby disengaging said hammer from said cocking bolt to permit forward movement of said hammer with respect to said body; power means within said bore adapted to propel said hammer forwardly as said disengagement of said hammer occurs; a transverse groove formed within the outer periphery of the hammer; a sear rotatably mounted for arcuate movement in a generally forwardly direction within said transverse groove, -said sear adapted to engage with an edge of said groove; a timing mechanism connected through a gear train to said lSear -to control the rate of arcuate movement thereof, the movement of said hammer by said power means being accurately controlled by, and being substantially equal to, the rate of linear movement of said sear, said sear being removed from the path of said hammer by rotating out of said transverse groove to allow the hammer to be propelled freely, at high velocities, into the device to be actuated.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 characterized in that said timing means comprises: a balance wheel adapted to oscillate at a fixed rate of speed; a scape wheel in engagement with said balance wheel to have imparted thereto a fixed rate of rotation as said balance wheel oscillates; a gear train, including 'a terminal gear, in engagement with said scape wheel for reducing the -rate of rotation of said scape wheel, the terminal gear in said gear train adapted to transmit its rate of rotation to regulate the forwardmovement of said hammer during the time of engagement with said control member therewith.

4. A time delay actuating mechanism which comprises: a body -having a cylindrical bore formed therein; a hammer slidably mounted within `said bore; retaining means for holding said hammer in a stored position when said actuating mechanism is not in use; power means within said bore for propelling said hammer forwardly from a cocked position to 'an actuating position; cocking means for retracting said hammer relative to said body from' said stored position to said cocked position; means for disengaging said hammer from said retaining means as said cocked position is attained whereby Ito enable said hammer to move forwardly; a pivotally mounted sear member in engagement with said hammer during at least a portion of both its relatively rearward and relatively forward travel;

. a timing means engaged with said sear member adapted to control the movement thereof; and clutch lmeans for automatically disengaging said sear member from said timing means as said sear member is moved rearwardly.

5. A time delay actuating mechanism which comprises: a body having a cylindrical bore formed therein; a hammer slidably mounted Within said bore; means for holding said hammer in a stored uncocked position when not in use; cocking means for retracting said hammer with respect to said body from said stored position to a second cocked position upon initaition of the lactuating mechanism, the relative retraction of the hammer imparting energy to an energy-storing member to thereby cock Said hammer; a pivotally movable sear adapted to engage said hammer during at least `a portion of its relatively rearward travel -from said stored position to said cocked position and during at least a portion of its forward travel from said cocked position to a release position; means for disengaging said hammer from said cocking means as said cocked position is attained whereby to enable said hammer to move forwardly under the influence of said energy-storing member; a timing mechanism adapted to control the rate of movement of said sear to thereby control the rate of movement of said hammer during the time of engagement of said sear therewith; and clutch means for disconnecting said timing mechanism from said sear during rearward movement of said sear relative to said body whereby said hammer is relatively retracted rapidly .from its initial stored position to its cocked position, said clutch means being adapted to connect said timing mechanism with said scar during the forward movement of :said hammer to thereby control the rate of lforward movement thereof.

6. A time delay actuating mechanism which comprises: a body having a cylindrical bore formed therein; Ia hammer slidably mounted within said bore; a compression spring enclosed Within said bore rearwardly of said hammer, the rearward end of said spring being fixed with respect to said bore; retaining means for holding said hammer in a stored position slightly rearwardly of an actuating position within said bore whereby said spring is maintained in substantially decompressed state when said hammer is not in use; a groove formed Within the outer periphery of said hammer; a sear slot formed within said body and communicating with said bore; a sear rotatably mounted within said slot, said Sear being adapted to extend into said bore just rearwardly of said groove when said hammer is in stored position; cocking means for rapidly moving said hammer rearward relative to said body to thereby cause said spring to become compressed and said hammer to assume a cocked position, said hammer carrying said sear rearwardly within said groove to a rearward position; means for disengaging said hammer `from said cocking means as said cocked position is reached whereby to enable said hammer to move forwar-diy under the influence of said spring; a timing mechanism adapted to engage said sear to control the rate of arcuate movement thereof, the Sear, in turn, engaging the hammer from its cocked position to a released position substantially forwardly of said cocked position to thereby control the rate `of forward movement of said hammer, the sear adapted to be removed from the path of said hammer as it reaches its released position by being pivoted upwardly from within said lgroove to thereby allow the hammer to be propelled freely forwardly to a high velocity into the member tot be actuated.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 characterized in that said retaining means and said cocking means comprise: an undercut annular recess formed in the walls of said bore; a counterbore formed within said hammer coaxial with said bore, said counterbore having its rear end communieating with said bore; a cocking bolt axially mounted within said bore; a plurality of radial-ly extending passages formed within said hammer walls communicating with said counterbore and with said bore, said stored position of said ha-mmer being such that said passages are initially positioned forwardly of said undercut recess; a plurality of balls, slidably mounted within each of said passages, an arcuate segment of each of said balls projecting into said counterbore; an annular arcuate ball race formed on the periphery of said cocking bolt forward end engaging the arcuate segments of `said balls when the hammer lies in stored position, movement of said cocking bolt rearwardly with respect to said body causing said `undercut recess in said body and said balls to become transversely -aligned whereby the balls move radially outwardly from said counterbore into said recess thereby disengaging said hammer from said cocking bolt to permit forward movement of said hammer with respect to said body.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 characterized in that said tim-ing means comprises: a balance wheel adapted to oscillate at a fixed frequency; a scape wheel slidably engageable with said balance lwheel to thereby rotate at a 'fixed rate of rotation; a gear reduction train including a terminal gear, in engagement with said scape wheel for changing the rate of rotation thereof, the terminal gear of said gear train adapted to be engaged With said sear to regulate the movement thereof.

9. A time delay actuating mechanism which comprises: a body having a cylindrical bore formed therein; a `sleeve mounted for slidable movement within said bore; an undercut recess formed within the inner wall of said sleeve; a pocket formed on the outer periphery of said sleeve, said pocket having a front shoulder and a rear any/,aas

lower shoulder; a core slidably mounted within said sleeve and positioned initially in a forwardly stored position and fhaving a liring pin formed thereon, a counterbore formed therein axially aligned with said bore, said counterbore communicating with `said main bore; a plurality of radially extending passages formed within and passing thro-ugh said core walls, said passages being positioned forwardly of said undercut recess when said hammer is in said stored position; a plurality of balls slidably movable within each of sai-d passages and being of `such size in relation to said passages as to have an arcuate segment of each of the balls extending into said counterbore as said balls rest on said walls of said bore; a cocking bolt having an annularly grooved forward end, extending axially through said main bore and counterbore, engaging with the arcuate segments of said balls; means for rapidly moving said core rearwardly relative to said body to thereby cause said core to attain a cocked position, the balls in said cocked position being forced radially outwardly from said counterbore into said undercut recess as said recess becomes transversely aligned to thus disengage the hammer from said cocking bolt as wel] as to connect said core and sleeve as a hammer unit and permit instantaneous forward movement of said unit with respect to said main body;

spring power means for propelling said hammer unit forwardly up'on the disengagement of said unit from said cocking bolt; a pivotally movable sear, movable in a generally longitudinal direction, and extending into said pocket to abut an edge thereof while said core is stored and cocked; timing means engageable with said movable -sear to control the rate of forward movement thereof, said scar engaged with, and controlling 'at least a portion of the forward movement of, said hammer unit, said timing means comprising a balance wheel adapted to oscillate at a fixed rate 4of movement, a scape wheel in slidable engagement with said balance wheel to be controlled thereby at a fixed rate of rotation, a gear tr-ain for engagement with said scape wheel to reduce the rate of rotation of said scape wheel, the terminal gear in said gear train adapted to be operatively attached to said sear to regulate the angularly forward movement thereof.

2,873,648 Musser et al. Feb. 17, 1959 Greene July 29, 1958V 

1. A TIME DELAY ACTUATING MECHANISM WHICH COMPRISES: A BODY HAVING A CYLINDRICAL BORE FORMED THEREIN; A HAMMER UNIT SLIDABLY MOVABLE WITHIN SAID BORE AND ADAPTED TO BE RETAINED IN A STORED POSITION WHEN NOT IN USE; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID HAMMER UNIT REARWARD RELATIVE TO SAID BODY TO THEREBY CAUSE SAID HAMMER UNIT TO ASSUME A COCKED POSITION; POWER MEANS WITHIN SAID BORE FOR PROPELLING SAID HAMMER UNIT IN A FORWARDLY DIRECTION FROM SAID COCKED POSITION; A GROOVE FORMED IN THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID HAMMER UNIT HAVING A FRONT AND REAR FACE; A SEAR PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FOR ARCUATE MOVEMENT WITHIN SAID GROOVE AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE REAR FACE OF SAID GROOVE WHEN SAID HAMMER UNIT IS IN SAID COCKED POSITION; A TIMING MECHANISM, CONNECTED THROUGH A GEAR TRAIN, TO SAID SEAR TO CONTROL THE RATE OF ARCUATE MOVEMENT THEREOF, THE RATE OF FORWARD LINEAR MOVEMENT OF SAID HAMMER UNIT BEING CONTROLLED BY THE ARCUATE MOVEMENT OF SAID SEAR, THE SEAR BEING REMOVED FROM THE PATH OF SAID HAMMER UNIT AT A RELEASE POINT REARWARD OF THE DEVICE TO BE ACTUATED BY BEING PIVOTED OUT OF SAID GROOVE TO ALLOW THE HAMMER TO BE PROPELLED FREELY FORWARDLY FROM SAID RELEASE POINT, AT A HIGH VELOCITY, INTO SAID DEVICE TO BE ACTUATED. 